To better compete against the Toyota Prius, Honda has added more standard safety and content features as well as a new entry-level Insight hybrid for the 2011 model year.
The new entry-level trim will be called “Insight” when it goes on sale Wednesday; the LX and EX trims are still available. The model will be priced at $18,200, excluding a $750 destination fee. That’s $1,600 less than the 2010 Insight, making it the most affordable hybrid currently on the market.
The new entry-level trim comes with air conditioning; automatic climate control; power windows, locks and side mirrors; remote keyless entry; tilt/telescoping steering wheel and a basic CD player with two speakers and auxiliary jack.
All 2011 Insights now come with electronic stability control standard; it was only available on the EX trim last year.
The LX trim adds cruise control, a USB input, center armrest storage, security system and floormats to its standard features list.
The EX trim now has steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, which was exclusive to the EX with Navigation trim last year. Besides that, the EX remains unchanged, with alloy wheels, steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals.
The 2011 Honda Insight is rated at 40/43/41 mpg city/highway/combined, which is 9 mpg less than the Prius’ combined city/highway mileage of 50 mpg, but with $4,600 now separating the two models, the Insight might be a more attractive purchase for some.